Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Texans' C.J. Stroud on pace to break former Pro Bowler's rookie record

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 12/5/23

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is having one of the best rookie seasons in league history and is on the verge of breaking a record.

Per Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith, Stroud is on pace to pass for 5,015 yards, which would surpass Andrew Luck's rookie record. In 2012, the former Indianapolis Colts QB threw for 4,374 yards in 16 games. David Smith added Stroud is on track to throw 28 passing TDs, the second most for a rookie. Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert set the record in 2020 with 31 TDs.

CJ STROUD TO NOAH BROWN 75-YARD TOUCHDOWN.

: #TBvsHOU on CBS
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpcMkc pic.twitter.com/Z6Ng2Ck8Ov
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023

Entering Week 14, the second overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft is second in the league in passing yards (3,540) and tied for eighth in passing TDs (20). His excellent play is one reason the Texans could earn their first playoff berth since 2019. The New York Times simulator gives them an 80 percent chance to make the postseason.

Rookies rarely merit MVP consideration, but Stroud has. As of Tuesday, oddschecker places the former Ohio State Buckeye within its top 10 MVP odds.

"Rookies just don't win the MVP award. While [Patrick] Mahomes and Kurt Warner both won it during their first meaningful seasons of playing time, the last actual rookie to win league MVP was Jim Brown in 1957," wrote ESPN's Bill Barnwell. "Well, that has changed. Stroud has been a revelation, pushing the ball downfield while continuously making smart, deliberate choices as a passer."

Stroud is one of the best rookie QBs ever and has tremendous potential. If the Texans keep building around him, they could eventually become a contender even though they've never made a Super Bowl or conference championship appearance in 22 seasons.

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